"Hostage Report: The Individual Comes Before The Team"

Brett Favre and LeBron James are two of the most known names in sports today. These gentlemen are known for their tenacity, their game breaking abilities, and many other great qualities that they bring to their respective sports. I would like to add one more name to the list: Kidnappers.

As horrible as the term may sound, both of these gentlemen covet the ability to stop a franchise dead in its tracks from making any decisions in regards to their upcoming seasons. Both Favre and James are coming off of seasons where they were part of teams, both favored to make it to the big dance in their respective sports. In both offseasons, each player displayed their power to place a franchise in limbo. James, as a free agent, decided to join fellow phenoms Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade in Miami. This decision alone has set the Cleveland Cavaliers franchise far behind for the upcoming NBA season. The effects of James' decision actually hurt the Cavs much more because it came after the NBA Draft, where Cleveland could have made moves to acquire a successor to the throne of King James.

Now, Cleveland stands in many sports circles to miss the playoffs completely, just one year after the season where they had the most wins in the NBA. Arena businesses are going to be greatly affected; predictions of lost revenue is in upwards of $40 million for those businesses in the coming season. It seems as though James may not have been as self indulgent as Favre, but he held a enormous ransom over the city of Cleveland. A ransom that the Cavs were not able to pay.

With NFL Training Camps and the preseason looming, many sports stations around the nation shift their attention to the Brett Favre fiasco. It is no secret that Favre is once again displaying his ability to hold the Minnesota Vikings hostage in hopes of him coming back for one more run at the Lombardi.

As Favre rests in his Mississippi home every night until the preseason arrives, Sage Rosenfels and Tavaris Jackson will participate in the Vikings training camp. Both will be battling each other to serve the backup role to Favre. All signs are pointing to another season with Favre at the helm of the Vikings. However, this behavior by Favre could have major ramifications on the Vikings organization. Brad Childress is basically allowing Favre to have the No. 1 QB position without putting in a lick of work during the offseason. Rosenfels and Jackson both know that they have a zero percent chance of leading the Minnesota Vikings this year.

How does this affect the Vikings organization? It clearly shows that the front office and Childress think Favre is much larger than anyone else playing for their franchise. It also affects the chemistry of the team, as Favre is not there building a rapport with them. Although the Vikings players are backing Favre in skipping training camp, the message is still projected loud and clear to Jackson and Rosenfels

Neither the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Minnesota Vikings were allowed to make necessary moves towards continuity plans if either star was to not join these franchises. The actions of these two athletes subsequently placed their teams in limbo. Cleveland has already felt the effects of James skipping town. Although it is not likely that Favre will disappoint. The Vikings sit idly by as Favre holds their franchise hostage.

When is enough, enough? When will sports franchises show these athletes that they cannot come before the team? Though James has made his decision and will be playing for the Miami Heat this season, I have some advice for the Minnesota Vikings organization. Tell Favre to "decide today or get out of the way because we have two hungry guys that want to play!"